Category Archives for Healthcare News

Asthma and flu: A double whammy

Vaccinating asthmatic pre-schoolers against influenza would dramatically reduce their risk of being hospitalized after an attack. » Read more Source: Science Daily

Thyroid dysfunction may lead to diabetes during pregnancy

Women with thyroid dysfunction in the first half of pregnancy face an increased risk for gestational diabetes, a form of diabetes that is typically diagnosed during the second trimester, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. » Read more Source: Medical Xpress

If Opioid Addicts Survive OD, Other Hazards Lie Ahead: Study

Survivors of an opioid overdose may consider themselves lucky, but they remain at heightened risk of dying — not just from drugs, but from a host of medical problems or suicide, a new study finds. » Read more Source: Health Day

Randomized trial finds ibuprofen not a safe alternative to antibiotics for UTIs

Ibuprofen, given instead of antibiotics to women with uncomplicated urinary tract infection (cystitis), leads to longer duration of symptoms and more serious adverse events related to the spread of the primary infection, according to a new study. » Read more Source: Science Daily

The latest blood pressure guidelines—what they mean for you

Updated blood pressure guidelines from the American Heart Association mean that many more Americans, notably older people, are now diagnosed with high blood pressure, or hypertension. This may sound like bad news, but the new guidelines highlight some important lessons we cardiologists and heart health researchers have learned from the latest blood pressure studies. » Read more Source: […]

Probiotics useful in the fight against Clostridium difficile infection

Probiotics may be a relatively safe, simple, and low-cost solution for preventing Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) in hospital settings. Both studies show that treating patients who received antibiotics with multi-strain probiotics, cut down on CDI incidence rates over time. » Read more Source: Science Daily

Vitamin D deficiency linked to greater risk of diabetes

An epidemiological study conducted by researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Seoul National University suggests that persons deficient in vitamin D may be at much greater risk of developing diabetes. » Read more Source: health.ucsd.edu

Asthma and hay fever linked to increased risk of psychiatric disorders

A new study is the first to find a significant link between asthma, hay fever and a broad spectrum of psychiatric disorders. Over 15 years, 10.8 percent of patients with allergic diseases developed a psychiatric disorder, compared to only 6.7 percent of those without allergies. Monitoring the mental health of patients with allergies could help […]

Even a single mindfulness meditation session can reduce anxiety

Mindfulness meditation programs have shown promise for the treatment of anxiety, one of the most common mental health disorders in the US. New research suggests people can begin to derive psychological and physiological benefits from the practice after a single introductory session. » Read more Source: Science Daily

Relaxation response may reduce blood pressure by altering expression of a set of genes

A new study has identified genes associated with the body’s response to relaxation techniques and sheds light on the molecular mechanisms by which certain interventions may work to lower blood pressure. » Read more Source: Science Daily